Thirteen of the 14 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on Thursday informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that they “may be ready and willing” to participate in the postponed 2025-26 season, provided certain financial and administrative conditions are met.
In a letter to the AIFF, the clubs said their participation would be conditional on the absence of any participation fee and the federation’s full financial responsibility for organizational and operational costs at league level for the shortened season. Clubs were also looking for a clear, time-bound plan to outline the league’s long-term business and management structure.
The letter was written by Sporting Club Delhi CEO Dhruv Sood on behalf of the 13 ISL clubs in response to the AIFF’s notice on Wednesday, which asked the teams to confirm their participation and agreement with the proposed format within 24 hours.
The clubs represented are Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, Sporting Club Delhi, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, Mohammedan Sporting, Punjab FC, Inter Kashi, NorthEast United FC and Odisha FC.
Jamshedpur FC was the only club not represented in the letter.
The clubs said that, subject to written confirmation from the AIFF, they can participate in a manner consistent with “transparency, financial prudence, proportionality and long-term sustainability” as envisaged by the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA), 2025.
Citing the proposed abbreviated format, the absence of an established commercial revenue model and the NSGA’s provision against undue financial burden, the clubs said no participation fee should be charged for the 2025-26 season.
They further sought confirmation that in the absence of a named commercial partner or broadcaster, the AIFF – as the rights holder and operator of the league – would bear all organizational and operational costs at league level until the commercial rights were formally monetised. The clubs said they would continue to cover only their team and general operating costs, ensuring they would not be exposed to open-ended financial liabilities.
The clubs also urged the AIFF to actively seek commercial or institutional support from the Indian government to help ensure the interim season is financially viable, given the “exceptional and transitory” circumstances surrounding the league.
“Due to the exceptional, transitory and systemic nature of the current circumstances, the AIFF will actively seek commercial or institutional support from the Government of India to help ensure the sustainability of the interim 2025-2026 season,” the letter said.
In a conciliatory tone, the clubs said their approach was guided by good faith, financial discipline and adherence to modern governance standards. They added that their aim was not to delay or impede the season, but to ensure participation in a legal and sustainable framework that does not jeopardize the long-term viability of the parties involved.
The clubs also said they are open to meeting with all parties on January 3, 2026, before the Supreme Court reopens on January 5.
On Wednesday, the AIFF asked clubs to urgently confirm participation to inform the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) of the number of matches to be played in the competition.
With the 2025–26 ISL yet to start, it is now certain that clubs will not be able to meet the mandatory requirement of 24 matches – including league matches and domestic cups – to qualify for AFC Champions League 2. In this context, clubs have urged the AIFF to seek a one-time release from the AFC.
The AIFF is also required to submit the outcome of its negotiations with the ISL clubs to the Sports Ministry by January 2, 2026.
– The end
Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
January 1, 2026
